The nation's busiest holiday travel period is about to begin. In anticipation of the tremendous increase in traffic on the Commonwealth's roadways, representatives from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will carry their holiday travel safety messages to radio, television and newspaper audiences across the state next week.

“The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the heaviest travel day of the year,” observed Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “Everyone is thinking ‘Home for the Holidays.' We want to do everything we can possibly do to ensure that your holidays are remembered for the most cherished traditions, and not for some avoidable tragedy. Our media campaign is all about saving lives.”

KYTC traffic counts from November 2005 reveal that interstate traffic in Kentucky is, on average, 56 percent heavier on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving than on any other random day prior to the holidays. A recent telephone survey by the American Automobile Association (AAA) has also revealed that almost 83 percent of all holiday travelers take to the highways to get home.

“While we promote safe driving every day of the year, we really focus on this period because of the dramatic increase in traffic volume, which always accompanies the rush to get home for Thanksgiving.” said Tim Hazlette, commissioner of the Department of Transportation Safety.The Transportation Cabinet offers the following tips for safe holiday traveling this Thanksgiving:

Buckle Up!